Top skaters try to qualify for Grand Prix Final

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(11/18/2010) - The 2010-2011 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating continues this Friday with the Rostelecom Cup in Moscow. The Rostelecom Cup is the fifth of six events in the series. The skaters compete for a global prize money of $180,000 per individual event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, and the top six skaters/couples will advance to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

In the men's event, all top contenders want to book their ticket to the Grand Prix Final here in Moscow. Reigning world silver medalist Patrick Chan won Skate Canada and will be challenged by U.S. champion Jeremy Abbott, who took the silver at NHK Trophy, and 2008 European champion Tomas Verner (CZE), bronze medalist at the Cup of China. Other contenders include Alban Préaubert (FRA), 2010 world junior champion Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN), 2010 world junior bronze medalist Artur Gachinski (RUS), 2009 European silver medalist Samuel Contesti (ITA), Javier Fernandez (ESP) and Tatsuki Machida (JPN).

2007 world Champion Miki Ando (JPN) headlines the ladies field and wants to assure her spot in the Final after winning the Cup of China. Akiko Suzuki (JPN), runner-up at the Cup of China, is also aiming at the podium and the Final. Ksenia Makarova (RUS), the silver medalist at Skate Canada, and Alena Leonova (RUS), bronze medalist in Beijing, are looking forward to challenge the Japanese athletes on home turf. Others to watch include 2010 world junior silver medalist Agnes Zawadzki (USA), Ashley Wagner (USA), Elena Glebova (EST) and Valentina Marchei (ITA).